Definition ∞ ZK-VM architecture describes a virtual machine design that leverages zero-knowledge proofs to verify computations efficiently and privately. This architecture allows for the execution of programs while proving their correctness without revealing the underlying input data. It combines the computational power of a virtual machine with the privacy and integrity guarantees of zero-knowledge cryptography. This design is crucial for scalable and private transactions.
Context ∞ ZK-VM architectures represent a cutting-edge development in blockchain scalability and privacy, enabling more complex and private computations off-chain while maintaining on-chain verifiability. This technology is central to the advancement of zero-knowledge rollups and other layer-2 solutions, a significant area of research and news in blockchain infrastructure. It promises to greatly expand the capabilities of decentralized applications.